“I feel like the defense is the closest out of everybody,” Klicker said. “We always come together before the game and talk about our plan.”

The Bears allowed their most goals since a 4-0 loss to Wilmington Hoggard in the opener back in February.

Leesville Road’s Mary Kay Bowers, a College of Charleston recruit, netted the initial goal 12 minutes in. Brenna O’Brien followed with a goal in the 28th minute and Appalachian State recruit Bayley Riggsbee scored a minute later.

“I feel like we didn’t mark up like we needed to and we weren’t as tight as we usually are. (Leesville Road) played a formation we weren’t used to and we couldn’t adjust,” Klicker said.

The Pride (14-3-2) put the final touches on the win with a blast from Madison Hoffman in the 54th minute.

New Bern (16-5-1) had one shot on goal – a Kathryn Dixon attempt in the first half that was saved by goalkeeper Sydney Wooten, a North Carolina soccer recruit.

The Bears had another chance in the second half as Mikayla Allen got past the goalkeeper, but Rachel Golden cleared the ball away just before it crossed the goalline.

“(Leesville Road) is very very good. We had to play one of our best games of the year,” New Bern coach Tim Guter said. “We gave up one and then our heads sort of went down. Tonight, Leesville Road was 4-0 better than us. They have very talented players that will finish opportunities.”

Leesville Road took 18 shots on goal.

Ledford, a freshman, recorded five saves for New Bern.

“I give the girls credit. Going into this season, did I expect them to be 16-5-1 at the end of the season? I would probably say no,” Guter said. “This is great building for the younger ones.

“If we want to be going to the semis on a regular basis, we need to learn to step on the field against a Leesville Road and have to compete against them.”

New Bern loses just two seniors. It returns a slew of talented players next season, namely Hand, Johnson, Smith, Swindell, Rachel Hobbs, Allen, River Bondurant, Ledford, Dixon and Patricia Dixon.

“We return a huge number of the players we have. Those players have to get better,” Guter said. “Everyone has to get better, from sophomores to juniors to freshmen.